The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-03-17

were all marked by traternAl teellng, ana
in the exercises the blue and the grey
were given equal rank. 1t was expected
that Governor Ross would be present, but
being unwell he sent the following letter,
which was read:
THE LETTER.
General r. L. Walker, Comman der John B. Hood
Camp Confederate Veterans, Austin Texas:
Dear Sir-I am suffering too much
to-day to take part in your ceremonies,
but desire to testify my hearty sympathy
with your purposes and aims. L am
one of those who believe that it is
fit and noble thing for state to honor
and perputate the chivalry of her sons,
especially so, when, as in the instance of the
old G snfederates, the orator is forced to
exhaust the resources of language to find
words strong enough and beautiful enough
to weave into garlands for their brow.
The man of the south or north either who
could forget the brave, heroic and reso'
Lutte sons of his country, or his sections,
cherished honor slight, would not only
rob himself of individual right, but would
wrong his race. Integrity of action can
have no fellowship with shame or con-
fusion of face, and principles born of
honest convictions never die. If denied
expression by words or deeds they will
still live IN the heart like a smouldering
fire upon deserted altar.
Ever since time began men have been
called upon to admire the pre-eminent
heroism of individuals, and it gives us
broadee charity, higher aims, and better
opinion of our fellows, when we see our
etr ~ tho yar1anc nf THAR
flowers to strew the graves of the hun
dreds of sleeping heroes with the sweetest
fragrance of earth. 1t is we'll deserved
tribute, serving to show to the world that
their noble conservation is to be kept
ever green and fresh in our hearts, and
that their revered names are emba' med
in as many living hearts as ever entwined
around living, or fingered around the
graves of deceased patriots, while we echo
praises to their memory and honor to
their death.
But our duty does not end here. There
are many crippled and dis
abled soldiers in our borders
who, in the hour when our people were
struggling for what they honestly be-
lieved to be the cause of civil liberty and
constitutional government, on hundreds
of stricken fields, amid blending smoke
whose murky cloud was each moment rent
by the red flash of cannon, shot and shell,
struggled on through dying and dead to
vindicate the honor of their state.
Never was there more brilliant heroism,
patient endurance, or purer devotion, and
the glorious story of their deeds has
caused the hearts of the brave and good of
all lands to thrill with generous admira-
ton and applause, and while they may
never have Homer to canonize them in
Epic song, no man will ever claim that
| they fought not as men who ever believed
their quarrel just.
When we look upon the careworn faces
of such of those for whom this soldiers
home was designed, and realize the fatal
mischance which has swept them out
into such a dreary waste of exist
ence, after all their patriotic devotion
and unparalleled herOism, surely their
deplorable condition should challenge the
utmost sympathy of rare and valiant
people like ours, and great state like
Texas, with but a nominal debt con-
sidered in connection with her inn
mense resources, and an insignifi-
cant rate of taxation levied for
state purposes, should hasten to do some
thing in the way of providing comfortably
for these INDECENT old heroes, who placed
all that was dear to them upon her affairs
and for four long years, foot-sore and
half famished as they were, while striving
to grasp the glory of mirage, spread out
before them, lost both strength and private
fortune.
Other work our state may do that will
look more august and important, but in
comparison with noble charity like this,
the first flash of eternity will transmute it
into shame and everlasting contempt, and
the Judge of all will accept this
and it will find its indelible
place in that Book of Remembrance, with
which human hands cannot tamper, and
from which no power,save that Of Diyini-
ty itself, can erase it.
Let grateful people see to it, that the
untrodden fragment of the lives of these
old war-worn soldiers, may have no more
rocks for their feet, thorns for their
hearts, or "Dead sea apples" for their
hopes.
1t is pleasant to know that the noble
women of our state are honoriRg the
cause with their generous sympathy. We
remember with gratitude and pride how
fully they were identified with us in the
terrible struggle. How they gloried at
our success, and were Inundated by our
defeat; with unswerving fidelity enlisting
all their energies in helping to push our
fortunes, and enduring unmurmuringly
and unshrinkingly the deprivations and
hardships incident to the struggle-and
in many instances seyering the dearest
ties that ever blossomed in tho hu-
man heart-showing TO the world
the grand spectacle of women of rare
good judgment, firm principles, and a
high moral rectitude that moved them to
dare everything for their country's veal.
By their patient endurance and lofty
piety and patriotism. they have built their
own monuments, as durable as the pyra-
mids, in the hearts of southern chivalry
and manhood. l.. s. Ross.